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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Friday, 25 July 2025

10th Parliament· 17 debates· 217 speeches· 62 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1754382585021621 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) 25 speeches
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB

      AI summary The Minister answered Question No. 217/2024 on Employees’ Provident Fund investments in the share market since 2015, stating that Rs. 11.38 billion had been invested. He said the investments covered many companies, including examples such as Access Engineering PLC and John Keells Holdings PLC, and noted that some shares had since been sold. He added that a detailed list of companies accompanied the answer and could be read out if required.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohana Bandara

      AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara asked the Minister to name several companies that had incurred significant losses. The request appears to seek specific examples in the context of a discussion on company performance or public financial losses.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB

      AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha clarified the distinction between unrealized and realized gains or losses in company investments, citing examples of significant unrealized gains and losses based on the difference between average cost and current market price. He stated that aggregate unrealized gains amounted to Rs. 43.9 billion, while realized gains from dividends and sales produced about Rs. 3 billion in total profit, with specific company-level profits and losses provided.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohana Bandara

      AI summary Rohana Bandara asked for the total loss involved, seeking a specific quantified figure.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha provided a tabled reply on the value and performance of listed shareholdings, stating that the total stood at Rs. 11,313,183,637 as of 30 June 2025. He said the detailed tables set out holdings, unrealized gains or losses, dividends and realized results by company, including Balangoda Plantations PLC and other listed entities, with relevant methodology and period notes.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohana Bandara

      AI summary Rohana Bandara raised concerns about past and potential political influence over EPF investment decisions, citing investments such as Mihin Air, and urged the Minister to take legal measures to ensure proper future management of the fund. He also questioned, in the context of the published Labour Policy, whether Sri Lankan labour laws apply to Sri Lankan and foreign workers in Colombo Port City and whether such workers contribute to the EPF.

      Law & OrderEmploymentPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB

      AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the supplementary question was not related to the original question and clarified that the EPF does not apply in the circumstances as framed. He noted that Colombo Port City is governed by a separate Act under which certain labour law exemptions apply, and said no decisions have been taken contrary to existing rules and regulations.

      EmploymentLaw & Order Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohana Bandara

      AI summary Rohana Bandara questioned a Presidential Gazette, challenging whether a party claiming to represent workers should act in that manner. He urged attention to the issue, framing it as a concern about workers’ interests and government action.

      Employment Full speech →
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the original question concerned EPF investments and that he had explained the basis of the investments and resulting profits or losses. He said issues relating to worker engagement or labour matters should be directed separately to the Labour Ministry, while assuring that workers’ rights would not be undermined and that the Government sought to maintain industrial peace under proper labour regulations.

      Parliamentary ProcedurePublic FinanceEmployment Full speech →
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Rohana Bandara

      AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara requested permission to ask a second supplementary question.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohana Bandara

      AI summary Rohana Bandara clarified that his question concerned whether employees’ benefits, specifically EPF-related benefits, are excluded under the relevant law. He maintained that the issue was relevant because he was asking about statutory benefits rather than an unrelated matter.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Rohana Bandara

      AI summary Rohana Bandara warned that if contributions are not directed into the Employees’ Provident Fund, the fund’s value will decline. He argued that persons covered under the relevant law would then cease contributing to the EPF.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Rohana Bandara

      AI summary Rohana Bandara raised concern that certain measures could affect the EPF and asked about the status of a proposed hospital to be built using private sector EPF contributions for private sector workers, noting that land and funds were reportedly allocated. He also drew attention to kidney disease affecting workers and questioned the lack of accessible testing and support for kidney patients.

      EmploymentHealthcare Full speech →
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Rohana Bandara

      AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara clarified that his question was directed to the Minister of Labour, not the Minister of Health. He requested that the relevant minister respond accordingly.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Rohana Bandara

      AI summary Rohana Bandara objected to a remark comparing Members to “little children” and asked for clarification of the issue being referred to. He requested that the matter be stated directly in Parliament.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
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    • Mr. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa objected to disruptions in the House and urged Members to follow Standing Orders when asking supplementary questions. He said issues such as kidney disease among workers, broken buses, or police matters should be directed to the relevant Ministers, and called on Members to conduct themselves responsibly because the public, including children, was watching Parliament.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB

      AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha responded to a question on Employees’ Provident Fund investments in the share market since 2015, stating that only 5–7 per cent of EPF assets are invested in shares and that he had provided answers on investments, gains and losses. He said EPF investment decisions are handled through the Central Bank’s Investment Committee, while the Labour Ministry is involved in administration, and argued that the member was raising matters outside the scope of the question.

      Public Finance Full speech →